Transfer Options from Cusco Airport to Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is one of the most iconic historical sites in the world. Located in a tropical mountain forest in Peru, Machu Picchu stands an impressive 2,430 meters above sea level and is one of the most iconic ruins from the Incan Empire. At the top, you can explore the many walls, temples and ramps, and look out over the breathtaking view of the Peruvian Andes and Amazon Basin.

If you’re looking to visit this spectacular historical site, you have two ways to get from Cusco airport to Machu Picchu; by taxi or public transport. Taking a Cusco airport taxi is by far the easiest way to travel, with a journey time of 4 hours and a price of around €150 (PEN 600). Taking public transport is a long and complicated way to travel, but it is cheaper, at around €75 (PEN 361). You will have to take a combination of buses and trains, so the total journey time is approximately 6 hours.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Cusco at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Taxi	€150	240min	24/7
Public Transport	€150	360min	05:00–21:00

How to get form Cusco Airport to Machu Picchu by Taxi

As the only direct transfer option, taking a taxi from Cusco airport to Machu Picchu is the quickest and most convenient way to travel, no matter what time you’re travelling. The journey time will be around 4 hours and the cost of taking a Cusco airport taxi will be approximately €150 (PEN 600).

How much is a taxi from Cusco Airport to Machu Picchu?

The cost of a local taxi from Cusco airport to Machu Picchu will be decided by each individual driver. The taxis in Cusco aren’t fitted with taximeters, so your exact fare will be given as you get in the taxi. The average cost for this journey is around €150 (PEN 600).

If you’d prefer to know the set rate cost of your Cusco airport transfer in advance, you can pre-book with Welcome Pickups.

Cost

€150 (PEN 600)

Trip Duration

4 Hrs.

*Prices may vary unless booked in a advance.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis at Cusco airport are available 24 hours a day.

Where do I find a taxi at Cusco Airport?

The official taxi rank can be found directly outside the arrivals hall in the main terminal at Cusco airport.

Convenience

If you’re travelling with luggage or small children, this is the only safe and secure way to travel from Cusco airport to Machu Picchu. You won’t need to make any changes or figure out the unreliable public transport networks. Instead, you can make your way directly to the impressive ruins of Machu Picchu in comfort.

Editor’s Note

Not all local Cusco taxi drivers will agree to take you to Machu Picchu as the journey is so long. To ensure you can get a transfer, we recommend pre-booking with a trusted company such as Welcome Pickups.

Useful Tips

If you don't like the price one driver has given you, feel free to barter or move on to the next taxi.

Cusco airport taxis must be paid for in cash, be sure to bring some with you in the local currency PEN.

The journey from Cusco airport to Machu Picchu is long, bring refreshments for the trip.

How to get from Cusco Airport to Machu Picchu by Public Transport

Taking public transport from Cusco airport to Machu Picchu is time-consuming and difficult, with many changes and stops along the way. You will first need to take the public ‘minibus’ from the airport to Plaza de Armas in Cusco, then take another local bus from there to Ollantaytambo. Next, you will have to switch to a train, which will take you to Machu Picchu. The journey can take anywhere from 5 hours to 7 hours, depending on waiting times. If you choose to take public transport, the total journey cost will be around €75 (PEN 361).

What's the cost of public transport form Cusco Airport to Machu Picchu?

The bus from Cusco airport to Plaza de Armas costs €0.25 (PEN 1). The bus from Cusco city to Ollantaytambo costs around €3.50 (PEN 15). Finally, the Peruvian Rail train to Machu Picchu costs around €71.25 (PEN 345) on average. That makes a total journey cost from Cusco Airport to Machu Picchu using public transport €75 (PEN 361).

Cost

€75 (PEN 361)

Trip Duration

6 Hrs.

*There's a waiting time of 5 minutes for the bus from the airport, 30 minutes for the bus to Ollantaytambo, and 1 hour for the train.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The buses practically run 24/7 and the Peruvian Rail train runs from 05:00 to 21:00 daily.

Where do I find the public transport at Cusco Airport?

To begin your journey from Cusco airport to Machu Picchu using the public transport networks, you will need to walk out of the airport compound to the main road Avenida Velasco Astete, which will be on the right-hand side. From there, you can take the local bus to the Cusco city centre.

Convenience

Travelling from Cusco airport to Machu Picchu using only public transport is not recommended. The journey time is incredibly long, there’s nowhere to store luggage and the public buses are notorious for pickpockets. Unless you are travelling with no heavy luggage and no young or elderly group members, we strongly suggest opting for a private transfer.

Timetables

Peruvian Rail

Editor’s Note

Taking public transport is quite expensive when all the ticket prices are added up. If two or more people are travelling together, the combined cost of the public transport options is the same as taking a taxi.

Useful Tips

The bus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo fills quickly, you will want to get in line at least 20 minutes before the next bus is due to leave.

You must pre-book your Peruvian Rail train tickets online.

There's no luggage storage on the buses, make sure you travel light.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Cusco. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

DAYTIME

€250.0

NIGHTTIME

€300.0

Same price as a regular taxi from the line

PRICES FOR

Sedan Car

4 pax, 4 pieces of luggage

Book Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

20 minute gap between transfers
Regular Car Sanitisation
Contactless ride
Sanitiser in every car

How do I get from Cusco airport to Machu Picchu?

There are two different transfer options from Cusco airport to Machu Picchu; taxi or public transport. Taking a Cusco airport taxi is quick and easy, with a journey time of 4 hours and an average cost of €150 (PEN 600). Taking the bus and train combination option will take at least 6 hours to reach Machu Picchu, and will cost around €75 (PEN 361) per traveller.

What’s the cost of a taxi from Cusco airport to Machu Picchu?

There’s no official taxi price for the journey from Cusco airport to Machu Picchu. The local drivers will decide on your fare, but it will be around €150 (PEN 600). For a fixed rate fare you can truly rely on, we recommend pre-booking with Welcome Pickups before you arrive in Cusco.

What's the distance from Cusco airport to Machu Picchu?

The distance from Cusco airport to Machu Picchu is 76 km. Taking a Cusco airport taxi will take around 4 hours to get there, whereas, taking public transport will take closer to 6 hours – not including wait times, to reach the Incan site.

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How to get form Cusco Airport to Machu Picchu by Taxi

How much is a taxi from Cusco Airport to Machu Picchu?

Cost

€150 (PEN 600)

Trip Duration

4 Hrs.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis at Cusco airport are available 24 hours a day.

Where do I find a taxi at Cusco Airport?

Convenience

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

How to get from Cusco Airport to Machu Picchu by Public Transport

What's the cost of public transport form Cusco Airport to Machu Picchu?

Cost

€75 (PEN 361)

Trip Duration

6 Hrs.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The buses practically run 24/7 and the Peruvian Rail train runs from 05:00 to 21:00 daily.

Where do I find the public transport at Cusco Airport?

Convenience

Timetables

Peruvian Rail

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

Welcome Pickups transfer

Best drivers

Flight monitoring

Quality support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Prices

DAYTIME

NIGHTTIME

Sedan Car

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Cusco airport to Machu Picchu?

What’s the cost of a taxi from Cusco airport to Machu Picchu?

What's the distance from Cusco airport to Machu Picchu?

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